Everyday Citizentag:www.everydaycitizen.com,2015://12015-02-15T02:25:31ZMovable Type Publishing Platform 4.01bMore Music Reflecting the 1980stag:www.everydaycitizen.com,2015://1.49552015-02-14T20:10:07Z2015-02-15T02:25:31ZI wrote a previous blog about socially conscious music from the 1980s, and thought I'd make another blog about some of my favorite music from that era. I remember it as being a very politically charged time, with many musicians and artists reacting against the conservative politics of Ronald Reagan and Margaret Thatcher. On a personal level I thought Ronald Reagan was a very kind and gracious man. He was able to make friendships with people irregardless of political affiliation and he got along well with liberals like Tip O' Neill and Ted Kennedy. Reagan's politics however, did great damage to the poor and the blue-collar working class. Many people remember the Reagan economic recovery of the mid 1980s, but people forget that the Reagan recovery was fueled by those industries that benefitted from the increase in military spending that was part of Reagan's strategy to force the Soviet Union...Angelo Lopezhttp://www.everydaycitizen.com/alopez/
socially conscious music from the 1980s, and thought I'd make another blog about some of my favorite music from that era. I remember it as being a very politically charged time, with many musicians and artists reacting against the conservative politics of Ronald Reagan and Margaret Thatcher. On a personal level I thought Ronald Reagan was a very kind and gracious man. He was able to make friendships with people irregardless of political affiliation and he got along well with liberals like Tip O' Neill and Ted Kennedy. Reagan's politics however, did great damage to the poor and the blue-collar working class. Many people remember the Reagan economic recovery of the mid 1980s, but people forget that the Reagan recovery was fueled by those industries that benefitted from the increase in military spending that was part of Reagan's strategy to force the Soviet Union into an arms race that the Soviets couldn't afford. Reagan's economic policies were devastating especially to the inner city and the rural farming communities. Both communities had struggled from larger economic trends that started in the 1970s due to the transition to a more globalized economy, and Reagan's free market policies exacerbated the problems in the inner cities and the farming communities. Both the inner cities and the farm communities suffered from unemployment problems, poor schools, high crime and drug problems. Cocaine devastated the inner cities and the number of homeless people skyrocketed as funds for the federal safety net were cut. The gay community was also devastated by the AIDS crisis, as social conservatives demonized AIDS victims. Reagan's efforts to fund right wing governments in Latin America destabilized the area and led to a cycle of violence that spurred residents to try to escape and fueled an illegal immigration problem that we are still dealing with.
Musicians in the 1980s were affected by all these things going on. They wrote songs to try to make sense of all these things and to express the anxieties and struggles that we were all going through at the time.]]>
Christians Fighting in Support of LGBT Rightstag:www.everydaycitizen.com,2015://1.49542015-02-12T03:24:21Z2015-02-12T03:36:32ZRecently the news has been dominated by the efforts of conservative Christians to push back against laws protecting LGBT rights. In Alabama, state judges have resisted a federal ruling to issue licenses for same sex marriages. Several conservative Christian business owners have refused services to gay and lesbian couples who are about to get married. The Kansas governor just rescinded his predecessors executive action issued in August 2007 by then-Gov. Kathleen Sebelius barring discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity in the state government. This news masks a larger trend where Christians of all denominations are increasingly supporting LGBT rights and are increasingly supporting same-sex marriage. Many Catholics, Mormons, Evangelicals and other Christians are fighting within their churches to change attitudes and teachings regarding homosexuality and are working for reconciliation between the Church and the LGBT community. In much the same way that Christians during the civil rights movement...Angelo Lopezhttp://www.everydaycitizen.com/alopez/
Recently the news has been dominated by the efforts of conservative Christians to push back against laws protecting LGBT rights. In Alabama, state judges have resisted a federal ruling to issue licenses for same sex marriages. Several conservative Christian business owners have refused services to gay and lesbian couples who are about to get married. The Kansas governor just rescinded his predecessors executive action issued in August 2007 by then-Gov. Kathleen Sebelius barring discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity in the state government. This news masks a larger trend where Christians of all denominations are increasingly supporting LGBT rights and are increasingly supporting same-sex marriage. Many Catholics, Mormons, Evangelicals and other Christians are fighting within their churches to change attitudes and teachings regarding homosexuality and are working for reconciliation between the Church and the LGBT community. In much the same way that Christians during the civil rights movement in the 1960s fought to integrate churches and change racist church teachings, today's Christians are fighting the homophobia within their churches and denominations and are making the church live up to the Christian spirit.
Some Music Reflecting the 1980stag:www.everydaycitizen.com,2015://1.49532015-01-28T07:11:56Z2015-01-28T07:15:54ZI'm feeling a bit nostalgic, so I thought I'd post some songs from my youth. Most people think of the 1980s as being a greedy materialistic time, but I remember a lot of political activism at that time. It was the time of protests against nuclear weapons and apartheid, churches offering sanctuary to refugees of Central America, and an awareness of the struggles of poor communities in the inner cities and the farming communities. I did not think Reagan was a good President and am always surprised at how many people look fondly at his presidency. I thought he was personally a very kind and gracious man, but I've never liked Reagan's politics, and the passage of time hasn't changed my mind. Reagan ignored the AIDS crisis because it affected the gay community, he funded an illegal war in Central America that we're still feeling the effects of, and his...Angelo Lopezhttp://www.everydaycitizen.com/alopez/
I'm feeling a bit nostalgic, so I thought I'd post some songs from my youth. Most people think of the 1980s as being a greedy materialistic time, but I remember a lot of political activism at that time. It was the time of protests against nuclear weapons and apartheid, churches offering sanctuary to refugees of Central America, and an awareness of the struggles of poor communities in the inner cities and the farming communities. I did not think Reagan was a good President and am always surprised at how many people look fondly at his presidency. I thought he was personally a very kind and gracious man, but I've never liked Reagan's politics, and the passage of time hasn't changed my mind. Reagan ignored the AIDS crisis because it affected the gay community, he funded an illegal war in Central America that we're still feeling the effects of, and his economic policies devastated the working class and the poor. The musicians of the 1980s commented on our worries about the state of the nation and the state of the world. Here are just a sample of the many songs from the 1980s that talked about the politics of the times.
The Black Comix Art Festivaltag:www.everydaycitizen.com,2015://1.49522015-01-21T17:45:03Z2015-01-21T17:46:33Z After I attended the Freedom Train festivities in Yerba Buena Park, I went to the Metreon to attend the Black Comix Arts Festival. African American cartoonists gathered to sell their comic books and talk about their work. The previous day, my brother, niece and I went to the San Francisco Public Library to see cartoonist David Brown and listen to some conversations of black cartoonists. I enjoyed being a fly in the wall listening to these cartoonist talk about black issues that I had little knowledge of. The only time I spoke, I mentioned how Asian Americans and other minorities have benefitted from the opportunities that African Americans opened up during the civil rights movement....Angelo Lopezhttp://www.everydaycitizen.com/alopez/
After I attended the Freedom Train festivities in Yerba Buena Park, I went to the Metreon to attend the Black Comix Arts Festival. African American cartoonists gathered to sell their comic books and talk about their work. The previous day, my brother, niece and I went to the San Francisco Public Library to see cartoonist David Brown and listen to some conversations of black cartoonists. I enjoyed being a fly in the wall listening to these cartoonist talk about black issues that I had little knowledge of. The only time I spoke, I mentioned how Asian Americans and other minorities have benefitted from the opportunities that African Americans opened up during the civil rights movement.]]>
The Freedom Train 2015tag:www.everydaycitizen.com,2015://1.49512015-01-20T02:30:07Z2015-01-20T02:32:23Z On January 19, 2015, I went on what is announced as being the last Freedom Train to commemorate the civil rights march from Selma to Montgomey, Alabama, in 1965. It was a very festive atmosphere, as many families of all races joined in the Freedom Train and the march in San Francisco. It is a fitting tribute to Martin Luther King Jr. and the many people who participated in the civil rights campaigns of the 1950s and 1960s....Angelo Lopezhttp://www.everydaycitizen.com/alopez/
On January 19, 2015, I went on what is announced as being the last Freedom Train to commemorate the civil rights march from Selma to Montgomey, Alabama, in 1965. It was a very festive atmosphere, as many families of all races joined in the Freedom Train and the march in San Francisco. It is a fitting tribute to Martin Luther King Jr. and the many people who participated in the civil rights campaigns of the 1950s and 1960s.]]>
The Cartoonists Rights Network Internationaltag:www.everydaycitizen.com,2015://1.49502015-01-17T17:36:56Z2015-01-17T17:44:53ZLast week's news about the deaths of 12 people of the Charlie Hebdo magazine has sent a shock wave in the political cartooning community. The death of the staff due to Charlie Hebdo's cartoons by Islamic extremists is an assault on the freedom of expression that is one of the foundations of a thriving democracy. Over the decades, political cartoonists all over the world have been frequently the first journalists targeted by extremists, thugs, and tyrants. Cartoonists Rights Network International exists to champion their cause, leading the fight to protect the free speech and human rights of political cartoonists around the globe. The Cartoonists Rights Network International works with a global network of over 600 cartoonists in over 50 countries to monitor threats and abuses against editorial cartoonists ranging from censorship, fines and penalties, to assault, imprisonment, disappearance, and execution. The group brings international pressure on the persecutors of cartoonists...Angelo Lopezhttp://www.everydaycitizen.com/alopez/
Cartoonists Rights Network International exists to champion their cause, leading the fight to protect the free speech and human rights of political cartoonists around the globe. The Cartoonists Rights Network International works with a global network of over 600 cartoonists in over 50 countries to monitor threats and abuses against editorial cartoonists ranging from censorship, fines and penalties, to assault, imprisonment, disappearance, and execution. The group brings international pressure on the persecutors of cartoonists by mounting campaigns for their just treatment, among the public at large and within the diplomatic community; as well as reaching out to heads of state and ministries, and coordinating joint actions with other organizations that promote free expression.
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The Flat, Oblivious, Obtuse Sam Brownbacktag:www.everydaycitizen.com,2015://1.49492015-01-15T17:42:10Z2015-01-15T20:02:44ZSeveral years ago, when Melanie, one of my granddaughters, was in middle school, the art teacher came up with a fun project—students were to make life-sized cardboard cutouts of themselves and color in the hair, the eyes, the mouth, clothes, and whatever other distinguishing characteristics they wanted to include. Melanie showed me her “flat Melanie” before she sent it off to one of her favorite great aunts. I thought it was pretty cute, but there was no way anyone could ever confuse that flat piece of colorful cardboard for my lively, thoughtful, smart granddaughter. That cutout was ultimately empty of what made Melanie who she was. I thought back to this art project when I read Gov. Sam Brownback’s inauguration address remarks in the Wichita Eagle. Flat. That’s what I heard in the speech. An inability to understand what is really happening in the state that he governs. A lack...Diane Wahtohttp://www.everydaycitizen.com/dwahtoWichita Eagle. Flat. That’s what I heard in the speech. An inability to understand what is really happening in the state that he governs. A lack of empathy for people who fail to share his narrow moral code.
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Writers?tag:www.everydaycitizen.com,2015://1.49482015-01-08T15:00:59Z2015-01-08T15:12:22ZWhat has happened to all our contributors to Everyday Citizen? Angelo, you are doing a great job, don't give up! We need more progressive (Democrat or Liberal) writers to start contributing. We don't have all the answers and we don't always agree on all issues. But, everyone should have a chance to offer their take on things. The reading public is entitled to your opinion, so share it. Sorry to say this old fellow is getting older and just can't put much together anymore. But I do enjoy reading other's contributions and thoughts. I'm not sure who is supposed to be managing this sight, but I wish they would get the 'comment' feature fixed....Ken Polandhttp://www.everydaycitizen.com/kpoland/
What has happened to all our contributors to Everyday Citizen?
Angelo, you are doing a great job, don't give up! We need more progressive (Democrat or Liberal) writers to start contributing. We don't have all the answers and we don't always agree on all issues. But, everyone should have a chance to offer their take on things. The reading public is entitled to your opinion, so share it.
Sorry to say this old fellow is getting older and just can't put much together anymore. But I do enjoy reading other's contributions and thoughts.
I'm not sure who is supposed to be managing this sight, but I wish they would get the 'comment' feature fixed.
The Last Reception of Gallery Saratogatag:www.everydaycitizen.com,2015://1.49472015-01-05T16:37:45Z2015-01-05T16:44:58Z In December 2014 Gallery Saratoga had its last reception. The gallery was founded in 1984 at a little shop in what is now called the El Paseo Shopping Center. A few years later they moved into downtown Saratoga. Many great artists have been a part of this artists' co-op. I was in the gallery for 5 years and learned a lot and met many nice and talented people. I didn't recognize anyone at the reception, but I talked to the people and they conveyed how sad they were that the gallery was closing....Angelo Lopezhttp://www.everydaycitizen.com/alopez/
In December 2014 Gallery Saratoga had its last reception. The gallery was founded in 1984 at a little shop in what is now called the El Paseo Shopping Center. A few years later they moved into downtown Saratoga. Many great artists have been a part of this artists' co-op. I was in the gallery for 5 years and learned a lot and met many nice and talented people. I didn't recognize anyone at the reception, but I talked to the people and they conveyed how sad they were that the gallery was closing.]]>
An Interview With Political Cartoonist Junco Canchetag:www.everydaycitizen.com,2015://1.49462015-01-05T07:56:02Z2015-01-06T02:57:34Z One of the best up and coming political cartoonists in the nation is Joaquin Junco Jr, aka "Junco Canché". Junco is the political cartoonist for El Coyote Crossing Borders and the San Diego Free Press, and he has had cartoons published in El Coyote Online, La Prensa News, and the Southwestern College Sun. Junco is studying graphic design at Cal State San Bernardino, where he began doing freelance cartoons. His cartoons offer an incisive view of the state and national political scene from a Hispanic point of view. His cartoons at the Southwestern College Sun won awards from the San Diego Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists....Angelo Lopezhttp://www.everydaycitizen.com/alopez/
One of the best up and coming political cartoonists in the nation is Joaquin Junco Jr, aka "Junco Canché". Junco is the political cartoonist for El Coyote Crossing Borders and the San Diego Free Press, and he has had cartoons published in El Coyote Online, La Prensa News, and the Southwestern College Sun. Junco is studying graphic design at Cal State San Bernardino, where he began doing freelance cartoons. His cartoons offer an incisive view of the state and national political scene from a Hispanic point of view. His cartoons at the Southwestern College Sun won awards from the San Diego Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists.]]>
"Country" in Dearborn consistently one of the best Middle Eastern Restaurantstag:www.everydaycitizen.com,2014://1.49452014-12-15T07:41:38Z2014-12-15T07:48:02ZThe Country Chicken Restaurant is one of the best spots for Middle Eastern food in the Detroit area. The menu includes great salads, chicken dishes (Tawook, Shawarma, and boneless chicken) and raw juices. I have been going there for over 20 years. The cozy spot in east Dearborn, Michigan with the freshly baked warm bread was a favorite of the late Marty Slobin, legendary University of Michigan-Dearborn political science professor. A number of Slobin’s students at U of M-Dearborn loved the place back in the day too including the Al-Awamleh brothers, Masoud, Caled and Ashraf. To this day, I meet up from time to time with Masoud at the Country to discuss political affairs. The boneless chicken still tastes as good as it did when we were students of the great Marty Slobin in the 90s. Yesterday, my mother Detroit State Representative Rose Mary C. Robinson enjoying the Country's golden...Isaac Robinsonhttp://www.everydaycitizen.com/irobinson/
Country Restaurant is located at
5131 Schaefer Road, Dearborn, MI 48126 between Ford Road and Michigan Avenue.]]>
The Gospel of Luke and Social Justicetag:www.everydaycitizen.com,2014://1.49442014-12-11T04:54:11Z2015-01-28T14:03:51ZA few weeks ago the Progressive Christian facebook group had an interesting discussion on the progressivism in the Bible. Someone asked the members of the group what they thought were the most progressive books in the Bible, also what were the least progressive books in the Bible. His question elicited a lot of enthusiastic responses from the group. Among the responses for the most progressive Biblical chapters in the New Testament were James, the gospel of Luke and John, Revelations and Paul's early writings. In the Old Testament, the various members recommended Amos, Isaiah, and the prophets and the Wisdom literature as being the most progressive. There was a general agreement that Leviticus, Deuteronomy and Numbers were the least progressive Old Testament chapters. Timothy and Paul's later writings were considered the least progressive New Testament passages. When I have the time I enjoy reading the discussions of the group, as...Angelo Lopezhttp://www.everydaycitizen.com/alopez/
A few weeks ago the Progressive Christian facebook group had an interesting discussion on the progressivism in the Bible. Someone asked the members of the group what they thought were the most progressive books in the Bible, also what were the least progressive books in the Bible. His question elicited a lot of enthusiastic responses from the group. Among the responses for the most progressive Biblical chapters in the New Testament were James, the gospel of Luke and John, Revelations and Paul's early writings. In the Old Testament, the various members recommended Amos, Isaiah, and the prophets and the Wisdom literature as being the most progressive. There was a general agreement that Leviticus, Deuteronomy and Numbers were the least progressive Old Testament chapters. Timothy and Paul's later writings were considered the least progressive New Testament passages. When I have the time I enjoy reading the discussions of the group, as I learn a lot of stuff that I didn't know before. Since Christmas is coming up, I thought I'd explore the gospel of Luke and see what makes it so progressive in many progressive Christian minds.
Religion & governmenttag:www.everydaycitizen.com,2014://1.49432014-12-01T05:17:55Z2014-12-01T05:47:23ZThank you, Angelo, for a very good summary of Old Testament scriptures that don't seem very popular in society today. None of those references you give recind the ten commandments. Some folks need to take note of the account of Jesus' encounter with the 'rich young ruler'. That young man declared that he had kept all the commandments, but he still felt something was missing. What did Jesus suggest to him? He didn't accuse him of breaking any commandments. He only suggested that he could give away some of his wealth. Share a little of what he had in material blessings with those less fortunate than himself. Piety (perfection in the law) is no substitute for showing compassion and love. It is amazing to me how so many of the fundamental religious right folks can ignore those parts of scripture that don't fit their modern concept of humanity and equality....Ken Polandhttp://www.everydaycitizen.com/kpoland/
Thank you, Angelo, for a very good summary of Old Testament scriptures that don't seem very popular in society today. None of those references you give recind the ten commandments. Some folks need to take note of the account of Jesus' encounter with the 'rich young ruler'. That young man declared that he had kept all the commandments, but he still felt something was missing. What did Jesus suggest to him? He didn't accuse him of breaking any commandments. He only suggested that he could give away some of his wealth. Share a little of what he had in material blessings with those less fortunate than himself. Piety (perfection in the law) is no substitute for showing compassion and love.
It is amazing to me how so many of the fundamental religious right folks can ignore those parts of scripture that don't fit their modern concept of humanity and equality.
Man's nature hasn't changed. We still have selective hearing and understanding. Taking blame for inequities isn't easy for anyone, rich or poor. We all like to blame someone or something other than ourselves for our status or station in life, especially if we are not where we'd like to be.
The Old Testament Prophets and Social Justicetag:www.everydaycitizen.com,2014://1.49422014-11-28T18:44:15Z2014-11-28T19:19:39ZI'm reposting the last part of a blog I wrote in May 8, 2014. One of the great influences on the social justice traditions of Christians and Jews are the Old Testament Prophets. The Old Testament prophets had a strong sense of social justice for the poor, the widow, the orphan and the marginalized. Isaiah, Jeremiah, Amos, Ezekiel, and the great prophets of Israel inspired later day human rights activists like Martin Luther King Jr., Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel, William Sloane Coffin, Ralph Abernathy, Pauli Murray, Bayard Rustin, Cesar Chavez, Bishop Desmond Tutu, and countless others to fight for the poor and the marginalized in society. The beauty of the prophet's poetry inspired activist poets like Muriel Rukeyser, Allen Ginsberg, Alicia Ostriker and June Jordan....Angelo Lopezhttp://www.everydaycitizen.com/alopez/
a blog I wrote in May 8, 2014.
One of the great influences on the social justice traditions of Christians and Jews are the Old Testament Prophets. The Old Testament prophets had a strong sense of social justice for the poor, the widow, the orphan and the marginalized. Isaiah, Jeremiah, Amos, Ezekiel, and the great prophets of Israel inspired later day human rights activists like Martin Luther King Jr., Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel, William Sloane Coffin, Ralph Abernathy, Pauli Murray, Bayard Rustin, Cesar Chavez, Bishop Desmond Tutu, and countless others to fight for the poor and the marginalized in society. The beauty of the prophet's poetry inspired activist poets like Muriel Rukeyser, Allen Ginsberg, Alicia Ostriker and June Jordan. ]]>
An Interview With Political Cartoonist Eric J. Garciatag:www.everydaycitizen.com,2014://1.49412014-11-25T06:32:23Z2014-11-25T06:53:28Z One of the best most incisive political cartoonists working today is Eric J. Garcia. His cartoon El Machete Illustrated offers a sharp and incisive critique of America's economic and political system, especially the way these systems oppress the poor and immigrant communities. Eric began creating cartoons while serving in the U.S. Air Force, making fun of the military. He completed his MFA from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, where he won numerous awards to include, 1st Place College Cartoonist Award for both the New Mexico and Illinois College Associated Press competition. Eric's work can be seen in many national and international publications and online news networks such as In These Times, Hoy News Paper, and The Black Commentator....Angelo Lopezhttp://www.everydaycitizen.com/alopez/
One of the best most incisive political cartoonists working today is Eric J. Garcia. His cartoon El Machete Illustrated offers a sharp and incisive critique of America's economic and political system, especially the way these systems oppress the poor and immigrant communities. Eric began creating cartoons while serving in the U.S. Air Force, making fun of the military. He completed his MFA from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, where he won numerous awards to include, 1st Place College Cartoonist Award for both the New Mexico and Illinois College Associated Press competition. Eric's work can be seen in many national and international publications and online news networks such as In These Times, Hoy News Paper, and The Black Commentator.]]>